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City Park hosts candlelight vigil for missing Vienna woman

Search continues for Gretchen Fleming

By Evan Bevins 3 min read

PARKERSBURG -- Christmas Eve is Gretchen Fleming's 28th birthday.

"What a Christmas miracle to see her come home, even that day or before," Vienna Baptist Church Pastor Dwight Brohard said during a candlelight vigil Monday evening at City Park.

Fleming, of Vienna, was reported missing by her family on Dec. 12 and has not been seen since the early morning hours of Dec. 4 at the My Way Lounge at Fifth and Juliana streets in Parkersburg. The Parkersburg Police Department's investigation of her disappearance is a topic of interest locally and beyond, with approximately 150 people coming together for Monday's vigil.

"It's made me really emotional to see just how many people love her," said Athens resident Megan McFee, who attended Parkersburg High School with Fleming. "It wasn't shocking, 'cause that's just her."

McFee said she learned a lot from her friend, "but the most important thing was how to be myself."

Friends of Fleming organized the vigil and streamed it online. Jake Grim, another high school classmate who led the vigil Monday, said he was blown away by the response.

"One thing I can say about our community is that we always come together in a time of need," he said.

Police Chief Matthew Board praised the response of the community at the vigil and in providing information to police during the investigation. And he asked them to continue.

"What might seem minor to you all might be what we need to bring Gretchen home," Board said.

Earlier Monday, Board said he did not have any updates to share on the case, for which search warrants were executed last week. On the band shell stage, he assured those listening that even if the department seems silent, they are continuing to work on the investigation.

"There are so many behind the scenes at the Parkersburg Police Department that have essentially just not went home since we found out Gretchen wasn't home," he said.

Board said lead Detective James Zimmerman has even told him he feels guilty when he sleeps while Fleming is still missing.

The vigil and its turnout were appreciated by members of Fleming's family.

"You could feel the love," said Louise Fleming, Gretchen's grandmother. "We just couldn't ask for better friends or a better church or better community."

Louise Fleming said the family is "barely hanging on.

"God is our strength. And we're trying to put this in God's hands," she said.

Gretchen's father, David Fleming, thanked the crowd and said he was overwhelmed by the love shown for his daughter.

"We love her, and we just want her home," he said after the vigil.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Gretchen Fleming or who was around the area of the My Way Lounge on the night of Dec. 3 is asked to contact Zimmerman at 304-424-1072 or the Police Department at 304-424-8444.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.

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